Flowers of Bali

Balinese name: TunjungIndonesian name: Tunjung, TerataiLatin name: Nelumbium nelumboFamily: NymphaeaceaeThe Lotus is an important plant in Buddhist and Hindu symbolism. Most parts of the Lotus plant are either edible or used for medicine. In Bali, Lotus and Water Lilies are often...

Balinese name: TengguliIndonesian name: TengguliLatin name: Cassia fistulaFamily: LeguminosaeThe Balinese, who call the Indian Laburnum is Tengguli, do not make us of the pulp of the tree's pods although it is used in many parts of the world as a laxative. The wood is occasionally...

Balinese name: SokaIndonesian name: Soka, Kembang Asoka, Asoka, AngsokaLatin name: Ixora javanicaFamily: RubiaceaeA Javanese Ixora is a common garden plant in Bali, and its flowers are often used in offerings. There are many in hotel gardens because they bloom all year. The Indian...

Balinese name: PucukIndonesian name: Kembang SepatuLatin name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.Family: MalvaceaeThe Indonesian name for the Hibiscus means "shoe flower". This apparently comes from the Potuguese, who used the juice of the petals to blacken shoes. There are double and single...

Balinese name: JempiringIndonesian name: Kaca PiringLatin name: Gardenia floridaFamily: RubiaceaeGardenias are found in many gardens but are not popular in hotels because they do not bloom for long. When available, they are used in offerings. The Gardenia is not to be confused...

Balinese name: Flamboyan, MerakIndonesian name: Flamboyan, MerakLatin name: Delonix regiaFamily: LeguminosaeFlamboyant dubbed the "queen of flame" with Rose but in reality Flamboyant has many advantages compared to Rose. One of the advantages is that the age Flamboyant longer than...

Balinese name: BiuIndonesian name: PisangLatin name: Musa Sp.Family: MusaceaeThere are dozens of varieties of Bananas in Bali, most if which are far more flavorful than the rather bland plantation Banana we are accustomed to in the West. The Banana plant is not a tree, but rather,...